Kane Brown Toasts First No. 1 “What Ifs”

Kane Brown enthusiasts packed the reception hall at BMI’s Nashville headquarters Tuesday (Feb. 20) to celebrate the young artist’s first No. 1 single, “What Ifs.” Being honored along with him were his two “What Ifs” cowriters, Matt McGinn and Jordan Schmidt.

The event on this balmy afternoon seemed very much a family affair, with little kids running around while waiting for the “show” to start and one guest leading her dog through the crowd.

After awarding Brown the acoustic guitar BMI gives all its writers who score their first No. 1, Collins pointed out that Brown set a number of chart records last fall when “What Ifs” zoomed to the top.

These included crowning all three main Billboard country songs charts — the country airplay, country streaming and hot country songs listings. Collins also noted that Brown will be opening for Chris Young this summer on his “Losing Sleep Tour.”

“What Ifs” is McGinn’s first No. 1, as well, and Schmidt’s second.

Brandi Simms of the Country Music Assn. awarded each of the songwriters a No. 1 medallion, but then surprised Brown and Alaina by bringing
to the stage their middle school choir director — “Mr. G” — to sing their praises.

A representative from RCA Records, Brown’s label, announced that so far “What Ifs” has been the most streamed song of 2018.
Speaking of Brown as a friend, producer Dann Huff said, “He’s a man of few words, but he has such a deep soul.”

Still looking a bit starry-eyed over the whole matter, Brown told the crowd, “Getting a No. 1 has made me all the more hungry. I’ll just keep working as hard as I can.”